Standing parasol with hand crank device

ABSTRACT

A standing parasol has a parasol mast (2) and an actuating device (4) arranged thereon, which actuating device cooperates with a connecting organ (6) for moving a parasol part. The actuating device comprises a hand crank device (8) with an associated crank handle (10) which is rotatable about a substantially horizontal crank axis of rotation (A) and is coupled to the connecting organ (6), wherein the crank handle (10) is formed in two parts with an inner handle portion (12) which is arranged substantially transversely to the crank axis of rotation (A), and with an outer handle portion (14) which is pivotable with respect to the inner handle portion (12) between a substantially coaxial resting position and an angled functional position about a handle pivot axis (G). In the functional position, the hand crank device (8) can be brought into rotational engagement with the connecting organ (6), whereas in the resting position, the hand crank device (8) is rotationally disengaged from the connecting organ (6).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from German patent application No. DE202022103212.2, filed Jun. 7, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a standing parasol.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Standing parasols of the type mentioned above are known in various models. Such standing parasols comprise a substantially vertical mast, on which a parasol roof is arranged either directly or via an arm. In numerous embodiments, it is provided that the parasol roof is adjustable with respect to its height and/or inclination and/or rotational position about the mast axis. Thereby, a stepless, lockable adjustment is preferably provided. Depending on the embodiment, the aforementioned functions are implemented using different actuating elements such as cranks, clamping rings, handles, etc.

By way of example only, the standing parasol according to US 2003/0029482 A1 is mentioned, in which the opening/closing of the parasol roof is actuated by a hand crank, the inclination of the parasol roof at a separate upper mast joint and the rotation of the parasol roof about the mast axis by means of a ring arranged below the hand crank.

A disadvantage of the known parasol systems with a hand crank is, however, that depending on its position the hand crank represents an unwanted, protruding obstacle even when it is not being actuated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is thus to propose an improved standing parasol, which is capable of overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art.

The standing parasol according to the present invention has a parasol mast and an actuating device arranged thereon, which actuating device cooperates with a connecting organ for moving a parasol part. For this purpose, the actuating device comprises a hand crank device with an associated crank handle which is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation and is coupled to the connecting organ. The crank handle is formed in two parts with an inner handle portion which is arranged substantially transversely to the axis of rotation, and with an outer handle portion which is pivotable with respect to the inner handle portion between a substantially coaxial resting position and an angled functional position. Due to the fact that in the functional position, the hand crank device can be brought into rotational engagement with the connecting organ and in the resting position the hand crank device is rotationally disengaged from the connecting organ, transversely protruding parts on which body parts, clothing or objects can get caught when passing close by are avoided. This avoids a corresponding risk of injury.

Since the hand crank device is not engaged with the connecting organ while in its resting position, unauthorized persons are largely prevented from manipulating the parasol in public areas or in restaurants.

The term “standing parasol” is to be understood in the broadest sense, but includes in particular various types of mast-supported devices, in particular for outdoor use.

In principle, the connecting organ cooperating with the hand crank device can be provided for moving various parasol parts. In some embodiments, this causes opening and closing of the parasol roof, respectively.

According to one embodiment, the hand crank device comprises a restoring means, by means of which the outer handle portion is urged into the resting position, whereby the rotationally connected engagement is released. Accordingly, the hand crank device can simply be released after actuation.

According to an advantageous embodiment the hand crank device is configured as follows:

-   -   The outer handle portion is articulately connected, via a lug         member, to a pin member of the inner handle portion, wherein the         lug member is pivotable, with respect to the outer handle         portion, about a first pivot axis G1 which is displaced parallel         to the handle pivot axis G and is pivotable with respect to the         pin member about a second pivot axis (G2) which is displaced         parallel to the handle pivot axis G in such manner that, during         the transition from the resting position to the functional         position, the pin member is pushed from a basic position into a         position protruding towards the crank axis of rotation A.     -   The pin member is provided with a follower pin pointing to the         crank axis of rotation A which is urged by a first spring means         into a position protruding with respect to the pin member.     -   A rotary drum rotatably connected to the connecting organ is         provided with at least one cam opening for the follower pin.

In the protruding position of the pin member, the follower pin rests against a side surface of the rotary drum or penetrates into the cam opening, while in the basic position of the pin member, the follower pin lies outside of the cam opening.

In one embodiment of the restoring means, the outer handle portion comprises a pivot member connected to the handle pivot axis G, and further comprises a grip sleeve arranged concentrically and longitudinally displaceable thereto, which is urged against the handle pivot axis G by a second spring means.

According to a further embodiment, the hand crank device is substantially free-rotating in the resting position and thereby spontaneously assumes a downward orientation parallel to the parasol mast. Thereby, it is advantageous that magnet means are present, which cause a soft securing of the downward pointing orientation. The term “soft securing” is to be understood in such manner that a deliberate leaving of the resting position does not require a considerable effort, but that the resting position is not left in the presence of weak force effects such as a gust of wind.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the standing parasol according to the present invention, the actuating device is integrated into an operating unit for a lockable, stepless adjustment of the parasol inclination and for a lockable, stepless adjustment of the pivoting of the parasol roof about the mast axis.

The aforementioned elements as well as those claimed and described in the following exemplary embodiments, to be used according to the invention, are not subject to any particular conditions by way of exclusion in terms of their size, shape, use of material and technical design, with the result that the selection criteria known in the respective field of application can be used without restrictions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details, advantages and features of the object of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the corresponding drawings, in which the locking system according to the present invention is illustrated by way of example. In the drawings there are shown in:

FIG. 1 a hand crank device, arranged on a parasol mast, in a perspective view;

FIG. 2 the hand crank device arranged on a parasol mast, and further actuating elements, in an exploded view;

FIG. 3 the hand crank device of FIG. 1 , in an elevational view from the right, with three different pivoting positions of the outer handle portion;

FIG. 4 the hand crank device of FIG. 1 , without a round cover, in an elevational view from the front;

FIG. 5 the hand crank device of FIG. 1 , in a vertical sectional view according to the section X-X of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 6 the hand crank device of FIG. 5 , with partially pivoted outer handle portion;

FIG. 7 the hand crank device of FIG. 5 , in an exploded view; and

FIG. 8 the hand crank device arranged on the parasol mast of FIG. 1 , in a vertical sectional view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As can be seen from the figures, the standing parasol according to the present invention comprises a parasol mast 2 and an actuating device 4 arranged thereon, which actuating device cooperates with a connecting organ 6 for moving a parasol part, not shown here, in particular a parasol roof.

The actuating device comprises a hand crank device 8, which is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation A. The hand crank device 8 is coupled to the connecting organ 6 and comprises an associated crank handle 10, wherein the crank handle is formed in two parts with an inner handle portion 12 and an outer handle portion 14. FIG. 1 shows the basic arrangement of the hand crank device 8 on the parasol mast 2, while FIG. 2 illustrates an overview with further operating units of the standing parasol, which will be described later.

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 3 to 6 , the inner handle portion 12 is arranged substantially transversely to the axis of rotation, i.e. in radial direction, while the outer handle portion 14 is pivotable with respect to the inner handle portion between a substantially coaxial resting position and an angled functional position. As explained further below, the hand crank device 8 is rotationally connected to the connecting organ 6 in its functional position, whereas it is disengaged from the connecting organ 6 in the resting position.

The hand crank device 8 is provided with a restoring means generically referred to as 16, by means of which the outer handle portion 14 is urged into the resting position. As will henceforth be explained in more detail, this releases the rotationally connected engagement.

In the embodiment shown, the hand crank device is configured as follows.

The outer handle portion 12 is articulately connected, via a lug member 18, to a pin member 20 of the inner handle portion 12, wherein the lug member 18 is pivotable, with respect to the outer handle portion 14, about a first pivot axis G1 which is displaced parallel to the handle pivot axis G. Moreover, the lug member 18 is pivotable with respect to the pin member 20 about a second pivot axis G2 which is displaced parallel to the handle pivot axis G. Due to this arrangement, a pivoting movement of the outer crank handle 14 from the resting position to the functional position, causes the pin member 20 to be pushed from a basic position into a position protruding towards the crank axis of rotation.

Furthermore, the pin member 20 is provided with a follower pin 22 pointing towards the crank axis of rotation A, which the follower pin being urged by a first spring means 24 into a position protruding with respect to the pin member 20. In the situation shown in FIG. 6 , the protruding follower pin 22 is partially inserted into a cam opening 28 of a rotary drum 26 rotatably connected to the connecting organ 6, the rotary drum with the cam opening not being shown in this illustration. During the transition into the functional position, the pin member 20 is further pushed towards the crank axis of rotation A, and the follower pin 22 is thus also completely inserted into the cam opening 28. In this situation, there is a rotary coupling between the hand crank device 8 and the connecting organ 6.

In contrast, in the resting position of the outer handle portion 14, the pin member 20 is maximally pulled back with respect to the crank axis of rotation A, and the follower pin 22 is thus located outside of the cam opening 24. Accordingly, the rotary coupling between the hand crank device 8 and the connecting organ 6 is disabled.

It shall be understood that the engagement of the follower pin 22 into the cam opening 28 is only possible when the rotary drum 26 is in the same rotary position. During the transition from the resting position into the functional position, the follower pin 22 will first rest against a side surface of the rotary drum 26. During rotation of the hand crank device, the follower pin 22 will then hit a cam opening 28 and penetrate thereinto. Therefore, it is advantageous, if the rotary drum 26 comprises more than one cam opening 28, for example three of them or even more.

Conversely, during transition from the functional position into the resting position, the follower pin 22 is pulled out of the cam opening 28 and is disengaged.

As can also be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6 , in the example shown, the outer handle portion 14 comprises an inner pivot member 30 connected to the handle pivot axis G, and further comprises an outer grip sleeve 2 arranged concentrically and longitudinally displaceable thereto, which is urged against the handle pivot axis G by a second spring means 34. The function referred to generically as restoring means 16 is thus implemented.

In the arrangement just described, the hand crank device 8 in its resting position is substantially free-rotating. Accordingly, it can spontaneously assume a downward orientation parallel to the parasol mast 2. In the example shown, magnet means 36 are also present, which cause a soft securing of the downward pointing orientation.

As explained in more detail by means of FIGS. 1, 7 and 8 , the actuating device 4 is integrated into an operating unit for further parasol functions.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   2 mast     -   4 actuating device     -   6 connecting organ     -   8 hand crank device     -   10 crank handle of 8     -   12 inner handle portion of 10     -   14 outer handle portion of 10     -   16 restoring means     -   18 lug member     -   20 pin member     -   22 follower pin     -   24 first spring means     -   26 rotary drum     -   28 cam opening     -   30 pivot member of 14     -   32 grip sleeve of 14     -   34 second spring means     -   36 magnet means     -   38 operating unit     -   A crank axis of rotation     -   S mast axis     -   G handle pivot axis     -   G1 first pivot axis of 18     -   G2 second pivot axis of 18 

1. A standing parasol having a parasol mast and an actuating device arranged thereon, which actuating device cooperates with a connecting organ for moving a parasol part, wherein the actuating device comprises a hand crank device with an associated crank handle which is rotatable about a substantially horizontal crank axis of rotation (A) and is coupled to the connecting organ, wherein the crank handle is formed in two parts with an inner handle portion which is arranged substantially transversely to the crank axis of rotation (A), and with an outer handle portion which is pivotable with respect to the inner handle portion between a substantially coaxial resting position and an angled functional position about a handle pivot axis (G), characterized in that, in the functional position, the hand crank device can be brought into rotational engagement with the connecting organ, and wherein, in the resting position, the hand crank device is rotationally disengaged from the connecting organ.
 2. The standing parasol according to claim 1, characterized in that the hand crank device comprises a restoring means, by means of which the outer handle portion is urged into the resting position, whereby the rotationally connected engagement is released.
 3. The standing parasol according to claim 2, characterized in that the hand crank device is configured as follows: the outer handle portion is articulately connected, via a lug member, to a pin member of the inner handle portion, wherein the lug member is pivotable, with respect to the outer handle portion, about a first pivot axis (G1) which is displaced parallel to the handle pivot axis (G) and is pivotable with respect to the pin member about a second pivot axis (G2) which is displaced parallel to the handle pivot axis (G) in such manner that, during the transition from the resting position to the functional position, the pin member is pushed from a basic position into a position protruding towards the crank axis of rotation (A), the pin member is provided with a follower pin pointing to the crank axis of rotation (A) which is urged by a first spring means into a position protruding with respect to the pin member; a rotary drum rotatably connected to the connecting organ is provided with at least one cam opening for the follower pin; in such manner that, in the protruding position of the pin member, the follower pin rests against a side surface of the rotary drum or penetrates into the cam opening (28), and that, in the basic position of the pin member, the follower pin lies outside of the cam opening.
 4. The standing parasol according to claim 3, characterized in that the outer handle portion comprises a pivot member connected to the handle pivot axis (G), and further comprises a grip sleeve arranged concentrically and longitudinally displaceable thereto, which is urged against the handle pivot axis (G) by a second spring means.
 5. The standing parasol according to claim 1, characterized in that the hand crank device is substantially free-rotating in the resting position and thereby spontaneously assumes a downward orientation parallel to the parasol mast.
 6. The standing parasol according to claim 5, characterized in that magnet means are present, which cause a soft securing of the downward pointing orientation.
 7. The standing parasol according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating device is integrated into an operating unit for further parasol functions.
 8. The standing parasol according to claim 2, characterized in that the hand crank device is substantially free-rotating in the resting position and thereby spontaneously assumes a downward orientation parallel to the parasol mast.
 9. The standing parasol according to claim 8, characterized in that magnet means are present, which cause a soft securing of the downward pointing orientation.
 10. The standing parasol according to claim 3, characterized in that the hand crank device is substantially free-rotating in the resting position and thereby spontaneously assumes a downward orientation parallel to the parasol mast.
 11. The standing parasol according to claim 10, characterized in that magnet means are present, which cause a soft securing of the downward pointing orientation.
 12. The standing parasol according to claim 4, characterized in that the hand crank device is substantially free-rotating in the resting position and thereby spontaneously assumes a downward orientation parallel to the parasol mast.
 13. The standing parasol according to claim 12, characterized in that magnet means are present, which cause a soft securing of the downward pointing orientation.
 14. The standing parasol according to claim 2, characterized in that the actuating device is integrated into an operating unit for further parasol functions.
 15. The standing parasol according to claim 3, characterized in that the actuating device is integrated into an operating unit for further parasol functions.
 16. The standing parasol according to claim 4, characterized in that the actuating device is integrated into an operating unit for further parasol functions.
 17. The standing parasol according to claim 5, characterized in that the actuating device is integrated into an operating unit for further parasol functions.
 18. The standing parasol according to claim 6, characterized in that the actuating device is integrated into an operating unit for further parasol functions. 